Japanese-English translator for scanlation group needed

[crimson]

I wasn't sure if I should have posted this under Anime/Manga or Learning Japanese, but since I would have a better chance finding translators in this forum, I'm posting this here.

I'm currently scanlating a manga called Hellsing: The Dawn, a rather dark and bloody vampire manga set in World War II. I already have the first chapter translated (albeit not to par, because my fluency in Japanese is very weak), and there are four more to translate. The second one is giving me a lot of trouble, but if I kept posting the Japanese sentences up in current threads, I could no longer credit myself for translating the sentences.

So, to get rid of this problem, I'm offering to form a scanlation group, wherein I'm the editor (i.e. I clean up the scans and add the translations). Anyone who has a good command of the Japanese language, loves manga, and doesn't mind reading about vampires, Nazis, and secret organizations that protect the world from the undead menace would be elligible for the position of translator. And I swear I'm not usually this formal. ^^;;

I'm sorry if this is too much to ask for. :sorry:

 

[Ben W Bell]

Um, not to be picky but isn't what you're doing in violation of copyright? You're scanning in published works, translating them, and presumably doing something more with them.

 

[crimson]

I see your concern. The Dawn isn't yet liscensed in any country other than Japan (that I know of), and most scanlators would stop working on a manga after it is liscensed. Scanlation groups are non-profit and translate "raw" manga for fans illiterate in Japanese. I was just hoping I could contribute to my fandom, that's all.

But really, I understand your concern. I thought about it, too, and decided that while translating the first chapter that, if anything, it'd help me learn Japanese. I guess requesting help defeats that purpose, eh?

 

[Mike Cash]

The fact that it isn't licensed (that you know of) has nothing to do with copyright protections.

 

[crimson]

Okay, okay... I understand. :sorry: And I've heard that reading manga to learn Japanese isn't the best idea, either. At least I can say I tried asking.

 

[senseiman]

Reading Manga is a good way to study Japanese. I actually read more regular books than manga but they are basically equally useful. Don't listen to anyone tell you they aren't useful, the most important thing you need when studying is motivation and reading things you like is a lot more motivating than boring textbooks.

I've done some work as a translator and they are right about the copyright stuff. Its too bad, but it shouldn't discourage you from translating them for your own enjoyment.

 

[Mike Cash]

Okay, okay... I understand. :sorry: And I've heard that reading manga to learn Japanese isn't the best idea, either. At least I can say I tried asking.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't translate it, or that you shouldn't share the result with friends. I'm just pointing out that there is little point in seeking technical justifications to get around copyright issues. I translated a novel, have shared it over the net, and the translation has been used in a couple of universities....but I don't try to fool myself that there existed a loophole in either the letter or the spirit of copyright law that justifies it. I just 'fess up that it violates the copyright.

 

[crimson]

Reading Manga is a good way to study Japanese. I actually read more regular books than manga but they are basically equally useful. Don't listen to anyone tell you they aren't useful, the most important thing you need when studying is motivation and reading things you like is a lot more motivating than boring textbooks.

That's true... I guess I'll give it another shot, then. I've always heard that watching anime and reading manga wasn't a good way to learn, so that's what I always believed to be true. But I agree that it's better than reading textbooks.

I've done some work as a translator and they are right about the copyright stuff. Its too bad, but it shouldn't discourage you from translating them for your own enjoyment.

I tend to get discouraged easily, especially from people obviously older and who know more than I do. I was thinking of just translating for my own enjoyment and sharing with friends in the first place, and I was getting discouraged because I was only being reminded of copyright laws.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't translate it, or that you shouldn't share the result with friends. I'm just pointing out that there is little point in seeking technical justifications to get around copyright issues. I translated a novel, have shared it over the net, and the translation has been used in a couple of universities....but I don't try to fool myself that there existed a loophole in either the letter or the spirit of copyright law that justifies it. I just 'fess up that it violates the copyright.

Ahh, I see know. I'm more ill-informed than I think, I guess, if I confused liscensing with copyrighting. But I admit I was trying to convince myself of a loophole, and I guess it kind of...scared me. But thanks, anyway, for getting me to understand.